AaronNight's recent activity
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
AaronNight LinkSorry, father, for I have sinned. I created static compiler for TypeScript. It is actually not full yet, I just implemented synchronous language features before ES2015, but have ideas how to...Sorry, father, for I have sinned. I created static compiler for TypeScript. It is actually not full yet, I just implemented synchronous language features before ES2015, but have ideas how to connect libuv for async stuff. Since the scope is huge, does anybody think it is worth it?
I've used TypeScript for making CLI tools before I've learned Go, so this silly project could make sence to me few years ago, and now I don't know if I should invest more time into it. Does anybody see value in making static binary from TypeScript?
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Comment on Flathub bans AI-coded apps – with some exceptions in ~tech
AaronNight LinkMy app was already rejected under these rules just because one moderator thought that AI might have been used to write the README file for the repository. It seems that the team behind Flathub...My app was already rejected under these rules just because one moderator thought that AI might have been used to write the README file for the repository.
It seems that the team behind Flathub wasn't prepared to scale to the current level of demand and modern development practices. Otherwise, they would have invested more in the moderation process or automated quality assurance instead of relying on just two guys to manually review every application and assume that AI is behind every pull request.
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Comment on Movie fatigue in ~movies
AaronNight LinkThere are film festivals exist just for that reason. The committee filter out best applications for a competition, the jury vote for the very best. My personal most favourite is Festival de...There are film festivals exist just for that reason. The committee filter out best applications for a competition, the jury vote for the very best.
My personal most favourite is Festival de Cannes, the 2026 festival just finished. Check out winning films from previous years (Golden Palm, Grand Prix, Best Director at least), it will be very diverse and interesting set of films.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentYes, you are right. Minesweeper on hexagons plays differently, because of fewer neighbours. No-guess mode becomes trivial, but I know that some people like it anyway. I find it more interesting in...Yes, you are right. Minesweeper on hexagons plays differently, because of fewer neighbours. No-guess mode becomes trivial, but I know that some people like it anyway. I find it more interesting in classic mode on higher difficulty. On square-based minesweeper, usually it is quite difficult to calculate mine probability entirely in your head. But since hexagon-based minesweeper is simpler, it is easier to calculate probabilities there. Much better suits for casual gameplay.
By the way, square-based minesweeper on tor or cube would be also played easier than classic one, because tiles will have more connections to make a logical chain and reveal their neighbors. Not dramatically different, but easier anyway.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentUsually one-finger zoom is also available in browsers and photo apps.Usually one-finger zoom is also available in browsers and photo apps.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight LinkI honestly didn't expect this post to receive so many thoughtful replies. Thank you all for the kind words, encouragement and feedback! Reading through the comments was genuinely motivating....I honestly didn't expect this post to receive so many thoughtful replies. Thank you all for the kind words, encouragement and feedback! Reading through the comments was genuinely motivating.
@Pavouk106 thank you for the donation! And thanks to everyone who tried the game itself. Seeing people actually play it, enjoy it, and even keep it installed on their phones is honestly heartwarming.
I made few changes based on your comments and suggestions:
- Added support for screen cut-outs for cameras and sensors
- Fixed accidental clicks on "New Game" button when switching apps with gestures
- Fixed layout of pause menu to make it more intuitive
- Fixed orb rotating slightly on finger release when flag is set
- Added option for rotation sensitivity
- Added option to reverse one-finger zoom direction
- Fixed tabs size, now they are easier to use on phone screen
- Fixed color of decorative elements on the orb texture
The update is available on Google Play and on GitHub. I hope you'll enjoy it!
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentYep, just implemented it, about to testYep, just implemented it, about to test
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThank you! I think I will try this approach with the next slightly bigger game: first plan it extensively, then implement step by step. Regarding donations, I participate in GitHub sponsorship...Thank you! I think I will try this approach with the next slightly bigger game: first plan it extensively, then implement step by step.
Regarding donations, I participate in GitHub sponsorship program: https://github.com/sponsors/anechunaev It's not the most convenient way to donate, because you need a GitHub account. But there are also other ways to support: to leave a feedback on Google Play store, try the app and give a feedback on found issues, or to put a star on the repository. Sometimes that is even more significant and important. And I appreciate a lot the effort that you and people in this thread put to try the game and share their thoughts. Thank you very much! I really appreciate it and will improve the game in next updates based on this suggestions.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThank you! That's a good idea, I was so busy going through all regulations that I forgot about itch.Thank you! That's a good idea, I was so busy going through all regulations that I forgot about itch.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentYeah, exactly. Modern big platforms are frustrating. That resonates with what I wrote about Google. You have to invest money into your app to release even if you are indie dev with free app. It...Yeah, exactly. Modern big platforms are frustrating. That resonates with what I wrote about Google. You have to invest money into your app to release even if you are indie dev with free app. It feels that this platforms are optimised for established businesses, and no one thinks of independent developers or small business trying to start.
I hope you'll manage to break through that barrier.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThat's cool feature I didn't know about! Thank you, I'll definitely add it.That's cool feature I didn't know about! Thank you, I'll definitely add it.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThank you! I appreciate a lot such a thoughtful and informative feedback. I will definitely address this issues in coming updates.Thank you! I appreciate a lot such a thoughtful and informative feedback. I will definitely address this issues in coming updates.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThank you for your kind words and valuable feedback! Yes, I find this screen a bit weird too. I will try to fix it eventually. Regarding Google, I totally agree. APK is available to download from...Thank you for your kind words and valuable feedback! Yes, I find this screen a bit weird too. I will try to fix it eventually.
Regarding Google, I totally agree. APK is available to download from GitHub release page. Unfortunately that's the most I can do.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentYou can download self-signed APK from GitHub repo: https://github.com/anechunaev/orb-sweeper/releases/tag/v8 Unfortunately I will not be able to publish on F-Droid because I use sound effects with...You can download self-signed APK from GitHub repo: https://github.com/anechunaev/orb-sweeper/releases/tag/v8
Unfortunately I will not be able to publish on F-Droid because I use sound effects with restrictive license. I do not even host this files in the repo.
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentBut I guess even tabletop games need some polishing too, like text refinemenet, graphic design for printing etc. How do you deal with it?But I guess even tabletop games need some polishing too, like text refinemenet, graphic design for printing etc. How do you deal with it?
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Comment on Just published my first game in ~games
AaronNight Link ParentThat honestly means a lot to hear. "Staying installed on my phone" is probably the best compliment a small puzzle game can get :) Thanks for giving it a try! The rest of the text is just me...That honestly means a lot to hear. "Staying installed on my phone" is probably the best compliment a small puzzle game can get :) Thanks for giving it a try!
The rest of the text is just me whining about how hard it is to make your own game and not burn out.
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Just published my first game
Hey everyone! I know there are some people on Tildes who like making games as a hobby. I’ve had a long-standing passion for game development, but I never managed to finish a project. About a month...
Hey everyone!
I know there are some people on Tildes who like making games as a hobby. I’ve had a long-standing passion for game development, but I never managed to finish a project. About a month ago, I decided to push myself to finish a small game and publish it somewhere, and finally that day has come! Orb Sweeper, a 3D minesweeper puzzle on a sphere, is now live on the Google Play Store. Just as a disclaimer: it’s free, has no ads, and works offline by default, so I’m not earning anything from it. I just genuinely wanted to share my first finished project, along with the joy and relief I feel now.
Honestly, I’ve always been more ambitious when it comes to game mechanics. I’m a big fan of strategy games, especially TBS games over the years, so of course I always dreamed of creating a grand 4X strategy game of my own. Over time, I implemented many different systems and mechanics that are complex on their own: generation of realistic and interesting maps, pathfinding, economic models, different variations of game AI, and so on. But since these kinds of projects are huge, I was never able to finish one as a solo developer, or even bring it to a properly playable state. I burned out relatively quickly.
Over time, I realized what motivates me to continue: when somebody else is also working on the project, and when you can quickly see the results of your work. Both things are difficult to achieve. First, it’s hard to find people who are ready to spend a lot of their free time developing a big strategy game while following the same vision. Since it’s a hobby and I cannot pay for development, I also have to spend a lot of energy motivating others, not just myself. The longest I managed to keep a small team of two enthusiasts together was one month.
Second, with complex games like strategies, there are only a few big and impactful mechanics that bring the game to the state of a playable prototype, but getting there demands a ton of polishing. Graphics, sounds, small animations, 3D models… a lot of work that is almost invisible on its own, but contributes enormously to the overall look and feel of the game. Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning in these small fixes, and that also leads to burnout.
So I decided to make my projects progressively smaller until I could realistically complete one from start to finish. It’s a bit sad to see that only a Minesweeper-like game survived this approach, but I feel like it’s an important starting point. Seeing my game actually published gives me a bit more motivation to finish other projects.
But then… it’s Google. All interactions with its platform make me feel a bit frustrated. It’s surprisingly difficult to publish such a simple game. I even had to hire paid testers just to satisfy their entry requirements for closed-test user engagement. There are so many policies regulating data handling that even if your game does nothing in terms of transferring data, handling accounts, or showing in-game ads, you still have to go through all these bureaucratic procedures anyway. I guess it’s probably the same with Apple, but their famous support still hasn’t helped me with account verification after a month, so I’ve yet to experience that side of things fully.
Anyway, I’m glad that the game is available somewhere at least. And I actually play it myself sometimes on my phone. I know some people here are going through similar obstacles, so I have a question for you: what motivates you to continue working on big, complex games? And more generally, how do you avoid burning out on long-term projects?
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Comment on When Richard Dawkins met Claude in ~health.mental
AaronNight LinkSome people think that if a machine can generate text imitating speech, the machine is intelligent. Some people think that if a machine can present more facts than you know, the machine is...Some people think that if a machine can generate text imitating speech, the machine is intelligent. Some people think that if a machine can present more facts than you know, the machine is intelligent.
With that small and limiting definition of intelligence we are doomed to discuss ethical implications of having Mall kiosks.
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Comment on What is your go-to project for learning a new language? in ~comp
AaronNight LinkMy "Hello World" set of projects: Tic Tac Toe Battleship (sometimes with multiplayer if I expect to work with network later) Minesweeper Wordle All this projects works perfectly in terminal, so...My "Hello World" set of projects:
- Tic Tac Toe
- Battleship (sometimes with multiplayer if I expect to work with network later)
- Minesweeper
- Wordle
All this projects works perfectly in terminal, so CLI-first is a huge benefit to test apps without the need of complex UI, even in REPL environments. Also, games are fun to make.
I compile to LLVM with custom runtime lib for JS behavior, similar to .NET or JVM.
Here is my pipeline
TS source
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tsc via Node bridge, build-time only
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Typed AST
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Custom Semantic IR (SIR)
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SIR optimizations
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LLVM IR (inkwell)
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LLVM optimizations
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Object file
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Link (clang -fuse-ld=lld, static runtime + GC)
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Executable